Walt Disney World: Magic Kingdom

On the forth day March 19, 2014, I went to the Magic Kingdom. I got there in time to see the opening the park ceremony. I walked as fast as I could to the Jungle Cruise. I had to wait a couple minutes for the Adventureland section to open. First thing mid-week in March, my fast pass was not really needed. The fast pass for Monster Inc Laugh Floor was needed. It saved 10-15 minutes. For lunch, I made a reservation for the Crystal Palace. See my review of the Crystal Palace.

Bunny - Stop trying to kiss her.

Review: The Crystal Palace

On Wednesday 19, I planned on going to the Magic Kingdom. Months earlier I chose three fast pass rides and the Crystal Palace for Lunch. The fast pass rides I changed when I got there with my iPhone.

Again, I got to my restaurant choice a little earlier than my reservation. I gave my name to the friendly staff outside. In less than five minutes, my name was called and I was seated near the front and the buffet.

My friendly waitstaff took my drink order and tried to explain about the plates. I took one of the kids plates since the larger adult plates were hidden behind the kids food area.

The food was very good so I went with a little reluctance to get a second kids plate full of the carved meats and another roll. (I am on a diet).

Note: While good, you are paying more to meet and greet the Winnie the Pooh characters.

2014 Epcot International Flower and Garden show -- pt2

2014 Epcot International Flower and Garden show

There are two reason to go to Disney World during the week mid-March.

1) the line early in the morning are short or non existent so you can do your favorite rides.

2) The second reason to go mid-March is the Epcot International Flower and Garden show. Disney does an excellent job creating characters out of flowers.

Review: Tusker House

On Monday March 17th, I spent the day at Animal Kingdom. Months earlier I reserved a time for lunch at the Tusker House. There were several african items on the menu I was going to try. I couldn't find them on the buffet.

Therefore for me, Tusker House was not worth the money. The food I selected ended up being usual average food. And Mickey, Donald and Goofy were not of interest to me. (Other than watching them interact with the kids).

Review: Expedition Everest

This roller coaster was my second ride on Monday March 17th. I set up a fast pass for this months earlier. I got there before my fast pass time so I had to sit there awhile listening to the people scream as they go down one of the last drops on the ride.

Disney did a good job setting up the entrance paths with interesting things to see while waiting your turn. Fast Pass was worth it this time. Maybe only 5 minutes to actually get on the ride. I liked the roller coaster. I don't do rides with over the head loops so this one was very good.

Review: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

I arrived at Walt Disney World on Sunday March 16, 2014. After checking in, I went to Hollywood Studios to ride the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

If you can, set up a fast pass time before you go. Or get a phone app. Even at 6:30pm, the standby wait was 60 minutes. With fast pass, it took 20 minutes from start to finish. Note: Some rides will allow you to enter 5 minutes before your fast pass time.

After getting the magic band green light, I whizzed by all the standby line and entered the hotel library. It was dark and very well done. They gave the “history” of the hotel and why you were there. After several minutes, you enter another waiting line that travels thru the hotel’s boiler room to get you to your service elevator.

Upon sitting in the elevator, the doors closed the lights go out and the elevator starts to rise. Some guy on our elevator let out a loud scream and scared the heck out of all of us.

The doors open and the seats move forward thru a dim spooky hallway. Then the fun beginnings. The elevator rises and lightning hits the hotel making the elevator go crazy.

Even though I had a seat belt on, it seemed at times there was 1.5 feet of space between me and the seat. Not good for people with bad backs. But it was very fun.

However it only last a minute or so. If I had waited 60 minutes, it would not have been worth it.

Review: 50s Prime Time Cafe

I arrived at Walt Disney World on Sunday March 16, 2014. After checking in, I went to Hollywood Studios to have dinner at the 50s Prime Time Cafe.

It is styled as a 50s era kitchen. The wait staff pretends to be your aunt or uncle. They usually try to embarrass the fathers by hand feeding him his vegetables by hand and making a motorboat or airplane sound. For me, they only warned me about my elbows on the table.

I ordered Aunt Liz's Golden Fried Chicken served with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Chicken Gravy, and Collard Greens. The chicken was excellent. The coating were crisp with the correct spices. The rest of the meal was average.